Haas

Mazepin: Uralkali still planning to buy a Formula 1 team

Kevin Peterson04 mins

Nikita Mazepin’s father, Dmitry Mazepin says his company is “ready” to ramp up its backing of Haas and he’s also not ruling out buying a Formula 1 team outright. The tycoon who is listed in the top 100 wealthiest businessmen in Russia, is backing the small American outfit via his potash fertiliser company Uralkali. “The agreement is long-term,” the 53-year-old told Russian broadcaster Match TV. “There is a fixed term and an extension option. I understand that many fans are interested in the cost, but it is a commercial secret so I cannot reveal the numbers.” That mystery number could now be set to rise, even though Haas’ 2021 season has been particularly disappointing. “This season has turned out to be difficult,” Mazepin snr confirmed. “The car was slow. “The team announced early this season that it would not be developed, but there were these two young drivers. And although they have almost no chance to fight for points, they both worked tirelessly,” he said, referring also to Mick Schumacher. “I’m happy with their attitude, but I think for next season it is encouraging. First of all, there will be a new car,” said Mazepin. Indeed, the car is even being developed at a new facility on the very grounds of Ferrari’s headquarters in Maranello – and now it appears as though there will be extra funding. “We are ready to voluntarily offer additional conditions, with which we would like to motivate Haas employees to stay in the team and be more involved in the process,” said Mazepin. “I understand that it is difficult to travel to 23 countries of the world in a season – the human factor plays a big role here. Therefore, we are doing our best to increase motivation internally and, as a sponsor, to be a part of the team.” Dmitry Mazepin also reiterated that he still aims to one day soon call himself a Formula 1 team owner. “We have great ambitions in motorsport,” he said, before alluding to his failed bid to take over the Force India team. “Yes, there was an unsuccessful attempt to buy a team, but we will not leave this topic behind. And it isn’t about Nikita’s career,” added Mazepin. “These are our long-term plans – we want to expand our presence in Formula 1. We are represented in Formula 4, Formula 3 and Formula 2, and ideally the crown should be a Formula 1 team and we want to be its owner. “At the moment we are not negotiating with anyone, because everyone is waiting for the cards to be revealed in 2022,” he said. “If some small teams suddenly become successful, then the cost and the attractiveness will be different.”

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Haas boss Steiner gives a hint on Andretti takeover but talks ‘not as concrete’

Kevin Peterson04 mins

Haas Formula 1 team boss Guenther Steiner has given a hint that there were talks between the team and Michael Andretti on a possible takeover but insists that the talks were not as ‘concrete’ as the rumors state they are. According to reliable media sources, Andretti is believed to have plans to buy major shares in Sauber which have him take control of the Alfa Romeo F1 team. The tycoon, who was a former McLaren driver is said to be looking for an 80 per cent share of Islero Investments which was set up by the Longbow Finance group that acquired the team from founder and then co-owner Peter Sauber. The move would provide a second American-owned entry on the F1 grid alongside Haas and asked if Andretti had held talks over acquiring a stake in the team, Steiner said: “Everybody knows each other in American racing and maybe there were talks but maybe not as concrete as you think they are.” On Andretti’s talks with Sauber, he added: “I don’t know what Michael is doing to be honest. “I spoke with Michael a few times, not lately, but I don’t know what Michael is trying to do.” With the focus on promoting F1’s market in the US providing a second race Stateside in Miami next year, being an American-owned team will bring a more intense spotlight. WIth the potential of Haas losing that exclusivity if Andretti completes the takeover of Sauber, Steiner was adamant his team did not see any threat to the job it has been doing. “I don’t see anybody as a threat,” he said. “We have no issue with that one wherever the team is from. But I think what we didn’t do, we didn’t exploit the American market, the sponsorship market as much as we should have because otherwise we would have more American on the car. “But there seems to be a lot of this that everything needs to be American all of a sudden and everything sounds to be focussed on America. But I think there is other countries as well and for sure, because Austin is now on, there is a lot of focus on it. “But there hasn’t been anyone knocking on our door with a big sponsorship deal and saying because we are American, this is what we are going to do or this is why we are going to support an American driver. “There is no magic in this game and whatever happens, there will be not a lot of change. “There is a lot of talk at the moment but we need to walk now.”

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